Extractor cleaning machine

ABSTRACT

An extractor cleaning machine includes a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid and a base configured to be movable along a surface to be cleaned. The base includes a suction nozzle and an aperture configured to spray the cleaning fluid onto the surface. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank. The suction source is configured to draw the cleaning fluid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The extractor cleaning machine further includes a body pivotally coupled to the base between an upright position and an inclined position. The body includes an outlet in fluid communication with the suction source such that an airflow generated by the suction source is discharged from the outlet toward the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/546,425, filed Aug. 21, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,330,950, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/484,588, filedApr. 11, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,405,721, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/095,610, filed Apr. 11, 2016, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,615,713, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/206,150, filed Mar. 12, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,881,the entire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to extractor cleaning machines and, moreparticularly, to airflow exhaust for extractor cleaning machines.

Extractor cleaning machines typically include a supply tank for storinga cleaning fluid or a mixture of cleaning fluids. The extractordischarges the cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned. A suctionsource, such as a motor and fan, draw the cleaning fluid and dirt fromthe surface through a suction nozzle and into a recovery tank. In therecovery tank, the airflow generated by the suction source is separatedfrom the cleaning fluid and dirt and the cleaning fluid and dirt arestored in the recovery tank. The airflow is discharged from theextractor.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an extractor cleaning machine includes a supply tankconfigured to store a cleaning fluid and a base configured to be movablealong a surface to be cleaned. The base includes a suction nozzle and anaperture configured to spray the cleaning fluid onto the surface. Theextractor cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank in fluidcommunication with the suction nozzle and a suction source in fluidcommunication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank. The suctionsource is configured to draw the cleaning fluid through the suctionnozzle and into the recovery tank. The extractor cleaning machinefurther includes a body pivotally coupled to the base between an uprightposition and an inclined position. The body includes an outlet in fluidcommunication with the suction source such that an airflow generated bythe suction source is discharged from the outlet toward the surface.

In another aspect, a floor cleaning machine includes a base configuredto be movable along a surface to be cleaned. The base includes a suctionnozzle. The floor cleaning machine also includes a suction source influid communication with the suction nozzle. The suction source isconfigured to draw debris through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaningmachine further includes a body pivotally coupled to the base between anupright position and an inclined position. The body includes an outletmovable relative to the base as the body pivots between the uprightposition and the inclined position. The outlet is in fluid communicationwith the suction source to discharge an airflow generated by the suctionsource. The airflow is discharged from the floor cleaning machine towardthe surface in a first direction relative to the base while the body isin the upright position. The airflow is discharged from the floorcleaning machine toward the surface in a second direction different fromthe first direction relative to the base while the body is in theinclined position.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extractor cleaning machine accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the extractor cleaningmachine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower surface of the extractorcleaning machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the extractorcleaning machine shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of a body removed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the rear portion of theextractor cleaning machine shown in FIG. 1 including a body exhaustduct.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional perspective view of a portion of the bodyexhaust duct and a portion of the body.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional side view of a portion of theextractor cleaning machine shown in FIG. 1 in an up-right storageposition.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional side view of a portion of theextractor cleaning machine of FIG. 1 in an inclined operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates an extractor cleaning machine 10 (hereinafterreferred “extractor”). In the illustrated embodiment, the extractor 10is an upright extractor operable to clean a surface 14, such as, forexample, a floor (FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the extractor 10 may beadapted to clean a variety of surfaces, such as carpets, hardwoodfloors, tiles, or the like. The extractor 10 distributes or sprays acleaning fluid (e.g., water, detergent, or a mixture of water anddetergent) onto the surface to clean the surface. The extractor 10 thendraws the cleaning fluid and dirt from the surface, leaving the surfacerelatively clean. As discussed in more detail below, the extractor 10includes an airflow discharge that at least partially dries the surface14.

The illustrated extractor 10 includes a base 18, a body 22 coupled tothe base 18, a recovery tank 26 coupled to the body 22, a fluiddistribution system (not shown), and a supply tank assembly 34 coupledto the body 22. Other extractors within the scope of the invention mayinclude a different type of base, such as including the recovery tankand or supply tank coupled to the base. The supply tank assembly 34 isconfigured to store cleaning fluid to be distributed by the extractor 10onto the surface 14. The recovery tank 26 is configured to storecleaning fluid and any dirt extracted from the surface 14.

The base 18 is movable along the surface to be cleaned. In reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, two primary wheels 38 and optionally two secondary wheels42 are coupled to the base 18 to facilitate movement of the base 18along the surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 38, 42 areidle wheels. In other embodiments, one or more of the wheels 38, 42 maybe driven wheels.

Referring to FIG. 1, the base 18 further includes a distribution nozzle(not shown) for delivering cleaning fluid, a suction nozzle 50, and abrush assembly 54 adjacent a lower surface 58 of the base 18. Thedistribution nozzle directs cleaning fluid toward the surface 14 to becleaned. The suction nozzle 50 draws fluid and dirt from the surfaceinto the recovery tank 26 of the extractor 10. The brush assembly 54 iscoupled to the lower surface 58 adjacent the distribution nozzle andsuction nozzle 50 to scrub the surface 14 (shown in FIG. 7). The brushassembly 54 also helps inhibit fluid from flowing beyond a periphery ofthe base 18. In some embodiments, individual brushes of the brushassembly 54 may be electrically or pneumatically rotated to agitate andscrub the surface.

The fluid distribution system is in fluid communication with the supplytank assembly 34 to draw cleaning fluid from the supply tank assembly 34and distribute the fluid to the surface 14. In some embodiments, thefluid distribution system may include a pump that propels the cleaningfluid to the surface 14.

In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 18 further includes a baseexhaust duct 62 having an exhaust outlet 70 directed toward the surfaceto be cleaned and generally positioned opposite from the suction nozzle50 and the brush assembly 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the baseexhaust duct 62 is rigidly attached to the base 18 for movement with thebase 18. The base exhaust duct 62 defines a curved member extending froman exhaust inlet 66 to the exhaust outlet 70. The exhaust outlet 70 islocated at a distal end of the base exhaust duct 62 directed generallytowards the surface 14 (FIG. 7). The base exhaust duct 62 generally hasa rectangular cross-sectional profile. In other embodiments, the baseexhaust duct 62 may be located elsewhere on the base 18 and include adifferent geometric profile (e.g., semicircle, oval, etc.). As discussedin more detail below, the base exhaust duct 62 directs an airflow to atleast partially aid in the drying of the surface 14 being cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 1, the body 22 supports a trigger 74 and optionally amode switch 78. The trigger 74 is actuatable to spray cleaning fluidfrom the supply tank assembly 34 through the distribution nozzle andonto the surface 14. The mode switch 78 adjusts the operating mode(i.e., wash, rinse, auto-rinse, etc.) of the extractor 10.

In addition, the illustrated body 22 is pivotally coupled to and extendsfrom the base 18. The body 22 is pivotable or tiltable relative to thebase 18 from a generally vertical, or upright, storage position 82 shownin FIG. 7 to one or more non-vertical, or inclined, operating positions86, one of which is shown in FIG. 8. Pivoting the body 22 to anoperating position 86 facilitates moving the base 18 along the surface14.

In reference to FIG. 4, the body 22 includes a motor housing 90supporting a suction source 94. The motor housing 90 is generallyattached to the body 22 underneath the recovery tank 26 and is designedin a generally cylindrical configuration. In other embodiments, thesuction source 94 may be supported by the base 18 or may be positionedelsewhere on the extractor 10 (FIG. 7). The suction source 94 is influid communication with the suction nozzle 50 to draw fluid and dirtfrom the surface 14 through the suction nozzle 50 and into the recoverytank 26.

In one embodiment, the suction source 94 includes an electric motor 98operable to drive a primary fan 102 and a cooling fan 106 located atdistal ends of the motor 98 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 7). The fans 102, 106generate a primary airflow 110 and a cooling airflow 114, respectively,that are fluidly isolated from one another within the body 22. Theprimary airflow 110 is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle50. However, the primary airflow 110 is fluidly isolated from the motor98 and flows out of the machine 10 through a primary air duct 126 havinga primary duct outlet 142. In addition, the cooling airflow 114 is influid communication with the motor 98 through a cooling air duct 118having a cooling duct inlet 134 and a cooling duct outlet 138. Thecooling duct outlet 138 and the primary duct outlet 142 are positionedto deliver the airflows 110 and 114 to the exhaust outlet 70 of the basedirected toward the surface 14 to at least partially aid in the dryingof the surface 14, which is described in more detail below. The coolingduct outlet 138 and the primary duct outlet 142 are generally separatedfrom each other prior to exiting a body exhaust duct 162.

In continued reference to FIG. 5, a body exhaust duct 162 is generallyformed in a semicircular configuration in the illustrated embodiment.The body exhaust duct 162 is positioned over the cooling duct outlet 138and the primary duct outlet 142 to receive the cooling airflow 114 andthe primary airflow 110. A wall 174 may be provided in the body exhaustduct 162 to isolate the cooling duct outlet 138 from the primary ductoutlet 142 inhibiting the primary airflow 110 from entering the coolingduct outlet 138. Stated another way, the body exhaust duct 162 forms afirst inlet aperture 166 adjacent the cooling duct outlet 138 thatreceives the cooling airflow 114 and a second inlet aperture 170adjacent the primary duct outlet 142 that receives the primary airflow110. The first and second inlet apertures 166, 170 are defined by aninner surface 178 of the body exhaust duct 162. In the illustratedembodiment, the wall 174 is shown as a two-sided member extending fromthe inner surface 178. In other embodiments, the wall 174 may bedifferently configured to guide airflow from the cooling duct outlet 138and the primary duct outlet 142.

In reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the body exhaust duct 162 is attachedto body panel 130 adjacent the motor housing 90. The body exhaust duct162 may be secured to the body panel 130 by fasteners 186, for exampleby fastening through fastener holes 182 in the illustrated embodiment.

Furthermore, in reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, the base exhaust duct 62 andthe body exhaust duct 162 cooperate to form an exhaust passageway 190between the suction source 94 and the exhaust outlet 70. A portion ofthe body exhaust duct 162 is positioned within the exhaust inlet 66 ofthe base exhaust duct 62 such that airflow through the body exhaust duct162 passes through the base exhaust duct 62. Stated another way, thebody exhaust duct 162 in combination with the base exhaust duct 62defines the exhaust passageway 190 between the suction source 94 and theexhaust outlet 70 (FIG. 7). Additionally, the body exhaust duct 162moves relative to the base exhaust duct 62 as the handle pivots betweenthe upright position 82 and the inclined position 86. In the illustratedembodiment, the shape of the body exhaust duct 162 cooperates with theshape of the base exhaust duct 62 such that the body exhaust duct 162slides within the base exhaust duct 62 as the handle pivots between theupright position 82 and the inclined position 86, providing the exhaustpassageway 190 in an extended or lengthened state in the uprightposition 82 shown in FIG. 7 and a shortened or retracted state in theinclined position 86 as shown in FIG. 8.

In operation, in reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the electric motor 98is operable to rotate the primary fan 102 and the cooling fan 106. Theprimary fan 102 creates the primary airflow 110 that extracts dirt andliquid from the surface 14 through the suction nozzle 50. The primaryairflow 110 is initially processed by the extractor 10 through therecovery tank 26. Before the primary airflow 110 reaches the recoverytank 26, the primary airflow contains a substantial amount of moisturefrom the surface 14. The recovery tank 26 collects the moisture from theprimary airflow 110 before the primary airflow 110 travels towards thesuction source 94. The primary airflow 110 travels adjacent the electricmotor 98 and exits the body 22 through the primary air duct 126 and theprimary duct outlet 142 (FIG. 5).

The cooling fan 106 creates the cooling airflow 114 that draws ambientair through the cooling duct inlet 134 and into the cooling air duct118. The cooling airflow 114 then passes adjacent the motor 98 whichabsorbs heat from the motor 98. The cooling airflow 114 exits the body22 through the cooling duct outlet 138 (FIG. 5).

With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the extractor 10 is in theupright position 82, the exhaust passageway 190 is in fluidcommunication with the exhaust outlet 70. The exhaust outlet 70 directsthe primary airflow 110 and the cooling airflow 114 towards the surface14 to act in aiding of drying the surface 14. When the extractor 10 isin the inclined operating position 86, the body exhaust duct 162 slidesdownward within the base exhaust duct 62. As a result, the body exhaustduct 162 extends beyond the exhaust outlet 70 and directs the primaryairflow 110 and the cooling airflow 114 generally towards the suctionnozzle 50 and the surface 14. The primary airflow 110 and the coolingairflow 114 act to dry the surface 14.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. An extractor cleaning machine comprising: a supply tank configured tostore a cleaning fluid; a base configured to be movable along a surfaceto be cleaned, the base including a suction nozzle and an apertureconfigured to spray the cleaning fluid onto the surface; a recovery tankin fluid communication with the suction nozzle; a suction source influid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank, thesuction source configured to draw the cleaning fluid through the suctionnozzle and into the recovery tank; and a body pivotally coupled to thebase between an upright position and an inclined position, the bodyincluding an outlet in fluid communication with the suction source suchthat an airflow generated by the suction source is discharged from theoutlet toward the surface.
 2. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 1,wherein the body includes a body exhaust duct in communication with theairflow discharged from the outlet of the body, and wherein the bodyexhaust duct directs the airflow from the outlet toward the surface. 3.The extractor cleaning machine of claim 2, wherein the body includes amotor housing supporting the suction source, and wherein the bodyexhaust duct is coupled to the motor housing.
 4. The extractor cleaningmachine of claim 3, wherein the motor housing is cylindrical.
 5. Theextractor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the airflow dischargedfrom the outlet is a cooling airflow of the suction source, and whereinthe cooling airflow does not travel through the recovery tank.
 6. Theextractor cleaning machine of claim 5, wherein the body includes a bodyexhaust duct in communication with the cooling airflow discharged fromthe outlet of the body, and wherein the body exhaust duct directs thecooling airflow from the outlet toward the surface.
 7. The extractorcleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the airflow discharged from theoutlet is a primary airflow configured to draw the cleaning fluidthrough the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank.
 8. The extractorcleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the airflow is discharged from theextractor cleaning machine in a first direction relative to the basewhile the body is in the upright position, and wherein the airflow isdischarged from the extractor cleaning machine in a second directiondifferent from the first direction relative to the base while the bodyis in the inclined position.
 9. The extractor cleaning machine of claim1, wherein the outlet is a first outlet of the body, wherein the airflowis a primary airflow configured to draw the cleaning fluid through thesuction nozzle and into the recovery tank, wherein the body includes asecond outlet in fluid communication with the suction source such that acooling airflow generated by the suction source is discharged from thesecond outlet toward the surface, and wherein the cooling airflow doesnot travel through the recovery tank.
 10. The extractor cleaning machineof claim 9, wherein the body includes a body exhaust duct incommunication with the primary airflow and the cooling airflow, andwherein the body exhaust duct directs the primary airflow and thecooling airflow toward the surface.
 11. The extractor cleaning machineof claim 10, wherein the body includes a motor housing supporting thesuction source, and wherein the body exhaust duct is coupled to themotor housing.
 12. The extractor cleaning machine of claim 11, whereinthe motor housing is cylindrical.
 13. A floor cleaning machinecomprising: a base configured to be movable along a surface to becleaned, the base including a suction nozzle; a suction source in fluidcommunication with the suction nozzle, the suction source configured todraw debris through the suction nozzle; a body pivotally coupled to thebase between an upright position and an inclined position, the bodyincluding an outlet movable relative to the base as the body pivotsbetween the upright position and the inclined position, the outlet influid communication with the suction source to discharge an airflowgenerated by the suction source, wherein the airflow is discharged fromthe floor cleaning machine toward the surface in a first directionrelative to the base while the body is in the upright position, andwherein the airflow is discharged from the floor cleaning machine towardthe surface in a second direction different from the first directionrelative to the base while the body is in the inclined position.
 14. Thefloor cleaning machine of claim 13, wherein the body includes a bodyexhaust duct in communication with the airflow discharged from theoutlet of the body, and wherein the body exhaust duct directs theairflow from the outlet toward the surface.
 15. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 14, wherein the body includes a motor housingsupporting the suction source, and wherein the body exhaust duct iscoupled to the motor housing.
 16. The floor cleaning machine of claim15, wherein the motor housing is cylindrical.
 17. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 13, wherein the airflow discharged from the outlet is acooling airflow of the suction source, and wherein the cooling airflowdoes not travel through the suction nozzle.
 18. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 17, wherein the body includes a body exhaust duct incommunication with the cooling airflow discharged from the outlet of thebody, and wherein the body exhaust duct directs the cooling airflow fromthe outlet toward the surface.
 19. The floor cleaning machine of claim13, wherein the airflow discharged from the outlet is a primary airflowconfigured to draw the debris through the suction nozzle.
 20. The floorcleaning machine of claim 13, wherein the outlet is a first outlet ofthe body, wherein the airflow is a primary airflow configured to drawthe debris through the suction nozzle, wherein the body includes asecond outlet in fluid communication with the suction source such that acooling airflow generated by the suction source is discharged from thesecond outlet toward the surface, and wherein the cooling airflow doesnot travel through the suction nozzle.